SHILLONG: Increasing the voter turnout in the Lok Sabha polls and enthusing urban voters to come out and exercise their franchise in large numbers have been taken up as a challenge by the Meghalaya Election department.
The overall polling percentage was a modest 64.42 in the 2009 polls with a low of 52.73 in the 2004 polls. As against this, the Assembly elections held last year had witnessed a high voter turnout of 88 per cent.
It is believed that the difference in the degree of enthusiasm is because of the number of seats up for grabs in the two respective elections, 60 in the Assembly poll and only two in the Lok Sabha polls for Shillong and Tura seats.
One reason for the low percentage over the years has been urban apathy, with many voters in cities and towns being reluctant to stand in long queues to cast their votes. Also, in urban areas, many voters, especially the youth, were often out of station, being engaged in jobs or higher studies elsewhere, an election department official said on Sunday.
It was for the candidates through innovative campaigning methods and demagogue to create interest among voters to come out in large numbers to register their votes, he said. Chief Electoral Officer P. Naik, too, admitted that there was lethargy on the part of urban voters which needed to be addressed. For a lasting solution, Naik stressed on the need of introducing bio-metric cards in future so that voters could cast votes without waiting in long queues. The Election department has taken the initiative to attract voters to the polling booths. Recently, Acting Chief Secretary Barkos Warjri and Additional Chief Secretary BK Dev Verma released Audio CDs and Video CDs respectively as part of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation Programme in Shillong.
A music video by Shillong Chamber Choir was produced by the Chief Electoral Officer aimed at creating awareness among voters, especially the youths.
Graffiti put up on the walls of several government buildings by the Election Department is another unique initiative to attract voters.
Besides, the Election Commission of India has extended the poll timing by one hour, till 5 pm, to allow more people to cast their votes.
Urban percentage 2004
Malki-Nongthymmai (ST) 35.23
Laitumkhrah (ST) 35.32
Pynthorumkhrah (GEN) 42.61
Jaiaw (ST) 40.74
Mawkhar (ST) 34.97
Mawprem (GEN) 42.03
Laban (GEN) 43.43
Mawlai (ST) 37.63
Urban percentage 2009
Pynthorumkhrah (GEN) 69.03
Mawlai (ST) 57.43
East Shillong (ST) 64.99
North Shillong (ST) 64.38
West Shillong (GEN) 69.03
South Shillong (GEN) 65.30
Nongthymmai (ST) 61.68
Yearwise percentage
of voting
1977: 49.88 %
1980/83*: 65.19 %
1984: 54.47 %
1989: 51.92 %
1991: 53.75 %
1996 : 61.62 %
1998: 74.38 %
1999: 56.16 %
2004: 52.73 %
2009: 64.42 %
*Election for Shillong seat held in 1983